Police in Cumbria are to issue body worn cameras to ALL uniformed frontline officers, saying they will be a big boost to county crimefighting.

The force is set to see the number of its cameras rise from 239 to 795, becoming a standard item alongside items such as a radio.

Officers say they have seen significant benefits in the use of the devices in watching over both police behaviour and gathering evidence.

They have been a useful tool in domestic violence cases - and chiefs say they will be vital in a range of incidents.

The cost of the move is not being disclosed as the force is in the process of buying the kit.

The force also says it tries to tell people when they are being recorded - and any footage that is not evidence is deleted.

The force plans to bring the new cameras into use next year.

A spokesman said: "We currently have 239 cameras at the moment.

"They are a pool of devices available to all frontline uniformed officers.

"Officers use them every day and we have seen significant benefits in holding officers to account, gathering and presenting effective evidence, saving police time, and keeping officers safe."

The cameras are worn prominently on the front of an officer's uniform, with the initials CCTV shown.

The spokesman added: "We plan to issue a device to all uniformed frontline officers and increase the numbers of cameras to 795, which will mean they become a standard item on every officer’s uniform."

The move, say police, has come with the support of finding from the county's crime commissioner, Peter McCall.

On the cameras, the spokesman added: "They are extremely beneficial to the criminal justice process, with the footage assisting greatly in conveying the detail of an incident, the behaviours, what was said and done, and in what context.

"They play a significant role in keeping people safe."

Police currently try to use body worn cameras at all domestic violence calls outs.

Other incidents where they come in useful include disorder, anti-social rowdy behaviour and crash scenes.

They have been useful for police when carrying out search warrants and in monitoring use of force.

"They would also be considered for deployment to capture evidence of offences post incident," said the spokesman.

"We always try and inform people when our cameras are being used and modern devices have obvious visual signs that they are recording.

"This can be in public and private places.

"However, there are strict rules in place about the management of police information.

"We only retain footage that is evidential and must delete that which isn’t."

The move follows an inspection in which officials said there should be more use of body worn video.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Webster said: "This desire is shared by our own officers.

"As a result, the constabulary is to equip all frontline uniform officers with body-worn video cameras.

"The plan is to roll this out in early 2018."

The force says modern body-worn cameras have the ability to buffer footage.

So when the record button is pressed they capture the previous minute before record is pressed.

The spokesman added: "Some devices also allow remote triggering of recording and the ability to livestream footage to a control room.

"Cumbria are looking at a range of options which will ensure our officers are well equipped to deal with the wide range of incidents that they face on a daily basis."

Technology playing key role in policing

The move is the latest example of technology playing a key role in crimefighting.

One of the last major investments was the CCTV system launched in 2015.

The system went live after nearly two years of planning.

Dozens of cameras cover key locations across the county.

The system is run from the Cumbria Police communications centre at the force’s Carleton Hall headquarters, near Penrith.

Staff monitor it round-the-clock at peak times for trouble, such as weekends, with other trained workers on hand to step in at all other times.

CCTV systems were run in Cumbria by local authorities but came under threat during budget cuts.

Plans were then made for this new system, a joint venture involving Cumbria’s then crime commissioner, Richard Rhodes, police and district councils.